Simple physics analogy question (circuits)

[dnt]

would the positive end of a battery be the top or bottom of a water slide?

my guess is bottom because electrons flow from negative to positive. so that would be from top (-) to bottom (+) of a slide.

is that accurate logic?

 

[andrevdh]

The analogy is used to indicate that a potential difference is needed to drive the electic charge through a circuit. If you consider the flow of electrons through the circuit (as opposed to conventional current flow), then the negative terminal corresponds to the top of the slide - that is where the electrons are delivered into the circuit by the battery. They continue from there through the circuit (the slanted part of the slide where the electrons does some useful work) and arrive at the bottom of the slide (the positive terminal of the battery). Work is then done inside of the battery (going up the ladder) to transfer the electrons again to the top of the slide. So yes, you are right.

 

[kyle8921]

Yes, your logic is accurate. In a circuit, electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, similar to water flowing from the top of a water slide to the bottom. Therefore, the positive end of a battery would be analogous to the bottom of a water slide.